The man shot dead by police in an Auckland park was wanted for three armed robberies
... Read more

Skifields eye forecast for snow

GEORGINA STYLIANOU

Last updated 05:00 30/06/2014

Relevant offers

Canterbury ski resorts closed due to a lack of snow should get a reprieve this week.

A southerly front on Wednesday will bring cold temperatures, rain and snow down to 400 metres.

Mt Hutt has relied on snow makers to keep its main trails open, but Porters Ski Area, Mt Dobson, Roundhill, Ohau and Broken River remain closed.

Mt Hutt area manager James McKenzie said the last snow dump was on June 6 but rain had washed a lot of it away. The skifield was "managing to hold out because of the snow makers".

"It's the same across the South Island," he said.

"It's been pretty mild."

MetService duty forecaster Philippa Murdoch said the beginning of the week looked fine, but on Wednesday more wintry weather would arrive. "There will be scattered snow showers and as the week progresses, the snow level will continue to drop so that's good news for the skifields."

McKenzie said many Australians had been "impressed and surprised" by the snow depth.